Folk festival organiser signs off after 46 years

The annual event at the historic Cardrona Hall was the longest-running festival at the same venue in New Zealand.

Tickets to this year’s festival sold out before opening day.

The festival organiser, songwriter Martin Curtis, founded the festival 46 years ago after he and wife Kay moved to Cardrona to raise their family.

This year’s performers included Christchurch music producer Graham Wardrop and Scottish-born, Australian-based folk singer-songwriter Eric Bogle.

Performers and attendees travelled from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Dunedin-based Scout White (left) and Christchurch-based Jonathan Le Cocq take part in a spontaneous jam session at the final Cardrona Folk Festival. PHOTO: ASPEN BRUCE

Due to Covid-19, the festival took a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021.

The Curtises have been integral in shaping the local community but recently decided to sell their home, Gin and Raspberry Stables, and move down the Clutha River to Alexandra to quieter pastures.

Mr Curtis has toured nationally and internationally and has produced at least 11 CDs.

By: Aspen Bruce and Marjorie Cook